Retributive Justice In Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus

In addition, Titus Andronicus due to a cyclical form of retaliation, the text complies to the concept of retributive justice as each character ultimately receives a punishment that is adequate to the severity of their crimes. To begin, Roman “soldier [of] forty years” (1.1.196), Titus is initially depicted as a “cruel, irreligious piety” (1.1.133) as he is “unkind” (1.1.89) signifying he is “lacking in kindness or kindly feeling; [or] acting harshly or urgently” (OED 6a). I believe Titus must be depicted as dutiful and devoid of feeling as he is representative of the ‘true’ Roman soldier’s mentality because upon “sacrifice[ing]” (1.1.127) Alarbus, Lucius declares Titus has “performed [the] Roman rites” (1.1.145-146). This sacrificial act provokes a continual cycle of humiliation and vengeance between the Andronici family and the captured Goths. I believe this …show more content…
I believe this is evident as Lucius does not execute the “chief architect and plotter of… woes” (5.3.121) but instead pronounces that he will be “breast-deep in earth and famish[ed]” (5.3.1178). I believe this is problematic as he defies death and serving justice for his crimes within the action of the play, Aaron escapes punishment for his crimes. Moreover, the problem of defying retributive justice is reinforced further through Aaron and his “first-born son and heir” (4.2.91). Upon his discovery of the child, Lucius swears that the baby will “live and… [be] nourished” (5.1.60); thus I believe this is problematic as the child enables Aaron to defy justice and punishment. For instance, even though it is implied Aaron will die outside the Roman realm of the text, the child remains within this world which suggests a continuation of Aaron’s bloodline and his desire for revenge against the Andronici